As Iron Sharpens Iron

 

"As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." - Proverbs 27:17

This illustration is a very powerful example of how we can help each other remain 'sharp' in our Christian faith. If one piece of iron is not regularly sharpened, it will eventually become so blunt/dull that it will not be effective anymore. 

What is remarkable about this Proverb is that it implies a benefit for both parties - the two iron instruments keep each other sharp - it is not just one of them that reaps a reward. They both remain sharp from regular contact with each other.

Thought: Who is able to keep you spiritually sharp? Who do you help to keep doing the work of the Lord?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Friends of God

Another concept that some Christians fail to embrace, is that we are friends with God. Through the life and actions of Jesus, we are restored into this amazing friendship. Read what Paul has to say on this matter:

"For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God." - Romans 5:11

In my personal opinion, coming to this realization should completely change our relationship with God. Just has we would love and respect our best friends, so we should do the same with Jesus. Likewise, we can also know that he will treat us as a genuine friend.

John 15:15 - I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.

Thought: Is this easy for you to accept? What makes you struggle to see yourself as a friend of God?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Prayer is not a mere convenience to let God know our problems!

"Prayer is a conversation between friends. It is not a mere convenience for letting God know what we are thinking or what we want." - Tim Chester

There are many good definitions of prayer, but I was struck again by the fact that, through prayer, we are invited into a special conversation between friends. As soon as our prayers begin to shift towards only a list of: Please can you .... or, Jesus I would like....; then we are surely missing the point. And dare I suggest, that we are also then missing the blessing of having an amazing conversation with a friend!

What do you think? 

Matthew 6:5-8

5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Lots of friends versus Real friends

"As we go through life, we start to understand that it's not important to have lots of friends, what truly matters is that we have real friends." - Unknown

Cultivating friendship is a long-term commitment. 

It is quick and easy to click "add friend" or "unfriend" on our social media platforms, but it is a beautiful joy to invest time and energy in fostering genuine friendships. These are the friendships that stand through the storms of life.

I am grateful for the real friends I have in my life. What about you? 

Proverbs 12:26 - "The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray."

John 15:15 - I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Mistakes and seeking advice

Writing is a strange thing. 

Sometimes my mind races ahead of my fingers and I end up typing words that I haven't meant to include. The same applies with silly mistakes - in my haste to finish the post, I often glance at my thoughts and mis-read my own writing. However, when I then re-read the blog post a day later, I am shocked at the mistakes I have made. I apologise for these. 

But, this did get me thinking...

Are there times in our lives where we proceed with actions (or the like) without noticing the potential mistakes? And if the answer is 'Yes', are we then willing to allow others to speak into our lives? The advice of a trusted friend is worth gold in times like these. 

Proverbs 12:15 - The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.

Proverbs 27:9 - Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.

Do you have someone in your life who is a trusted sounding board? 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

18 - Fools and Friends

Solomon was certainly someone who encountered many fools in his lifetime. I am sure that he also had a lot of acquaintances, but probably only a few friends. The same may apply to you too - perhaps you know many fools and have few friends. Jesus had the same troubles - many people came to him because they needed something, but there were only a few people whom he called 'friends.' 

May we all be friends of Jesus. Read these words and allow them to guide you through today.


"Unfriendly people care only about themselves;
    they lash out at common sense.

² Fools have no interest in understanding;
    they only want to air their own opinions.

⁶ Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels;
    they are asking for a beating.

⁷ The mouths of fools are their ruin;
    they trap themselves with their lips.

¹⁹ An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city.
    Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.

²⁰ Wise words satisfy like a good meal;
    the right words bring satisfaction.

²⁴ There are “friends” who destroy each other,
    but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

To the Brave Ones - Brilliant local Artist

I am so blessed this morning to be listening to an Album entitled "To the Brave Ones". What makes it so special is that it has been produced by my friend Mark Counihan. Mark was a member of our Youth Group when I was serving as a Youth Pastor at Bryanston Methodist. Mark was always an energetic young man, but also full of nonsense at times :) I am just so humbled that God would use his talents to bless the world.

Please can I ask you to support his ministry and go and buy his album on itunes. It only costs R70. Yes, that is right - only R70 for a brilliant worship CD. (Go to itunes and type in 'To the Brave Ones' and you should find it.)

For those of you who have Facebook, click on this link

"Being brave means to know something, scary, difficult and dangerous, and doing it anway, because the possibility of winning the fight is worth the chance of losing it." - Emilie Autumn

God bless you.

Living in Grace
D3LM3